TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Titans Defense Opens Door For Playoffs

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

Published: December 24, 2007

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Titans have a chance to win their way into their first playoff berth since 2003, thanks to help from Cincinnati and their own stingy, quarterback-hitting defense.

Pro Bowler Kyle Vanden Bosch had three of Tennessee's six sacks and Chris Brown ran for a touchdown as the Titans beat the New York Jets 10-6 on Sunday for their third victory in four games and their first winning season since 2003.

The Titans (9-6) knew the Bengals defeated the Cleveland Browns 19-14, giving them the edge in tiebreakers if tied for the AFC's final wild-card berth once the regular season ends. It gave them a boost, but they still had to beat the Jets (3-12) in the easiest path to the playoffs.

"We knew the outcome of that game before kickoff," Vanden Bosch said. "We like being in control of our destiny."

Now they must close out the season with a victory over the defending Super Bowl champs in Indianapolis.

It wasn't pretty Sunday.

The Titans went out and survived a sloppy game in which Vince Young was sacked three times and lost two turnovers. It was more than enough for Titans coach Jeff Fisher, who gave his players a pep talk on the sideline before the second-half kickoff.

"We did what we had to do to win this game, and I'm very proud of them," Fisher said.

The Jets started Tennessee native Chad Pennington for the first time since Oct. 28. He had been 2-0 with some of his best games against the Titans. He did his best to rally the Jets, but Tony Brown sacked him with 1:50 on fourth-and-4 to allow the Titans to run out the clock for the victory.

Tennessee blew a 14-point lead here Dec. 9 and lost in overtime to San Diego, which is why the Titans needed help in their playoff chase.

This time, LenDale White ran for 7 yards on third-and-6, allowing the Titans to kneel down and run out the clock. He finished with 103 yards for his first 1,000-yard rushing season in his second year.

But the Jets, who held New England to season lows offensively in a 20-10 loss last week, did their best to make it tough on Tennessee. Coach Eric Mangini didn't announce his starting quarterback, letting Pennington take the field with Kellen Clemens sidelined by sore ribs.

He finished with 264 yards passing, and New York outgained Tennessee 296-273 on offense.

But Pennington's interceptions were costly. His second was by Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck in the end zone after the Jets took off a 36-yard field goal by Mike Nugent in the second quarter that had given them a 9-6 lead. Tennessee was penalized on the field goal, giving New York a first down.

Ten-Brown 4 run (Bironas kick), 14:23.

NY-Cotchery 9 pass from Pennington (kick blocked), 10:59.

Third Quarter

Ten-FG Bironas 46, 6:36.

A-69,143

RUSHING-N.Y. Jets, Jones 21-58, Pennington 2-5, Washington 1-5. Tennessee, White 23-103, C.Brown 5-15, Hall 1-8, Young 7-1.

PASSING-N.Y. Jets, Pennington 26-32-2-264. Tennessee, Young 12-22-1-166.

RECEIVING-N.Y. Jets, Cotchery 8-152, B.Smith 5-45, Baker 4-40, Jones 3-5, Kowalewski 2-11, McCareins 2-9, Washington 2-2. Tennessee, R.Williams 4-54, Gage 3-48, Hall 2-13, Hartsock 1-27, Moulds 1-12, Scaife 1-12.

MISSED FIELD GOALS-N.Y. Jets, Nugent 51 (WL).

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT